New dispensing system

Abstract

A new dispensing system, comprising a rotatable member consisting of a dispensing drum (1) and an air distribution plate (3) and a plurality of sets of dispensing head assemblies (2) synchronously rotating with the dispensing drum, and further comprises a sealing plate (4) independent of the rotatable member, wherein each set of dispensing head assemblies (2) is located right above each cigarette groove (11) for dispensing, and a circular motion trajectory formed as the dispensing drum (1) rotates is sequentially divided into a positive-pressure section (71), a dispensing section (72), a negative-pressure section (73) and a cleaning section (74) in the direction of rotation of the dispensing drum (1); and the sealing plate (4) and the air distribution plate (3) are used for forming a positive pressure or a negative pressure in the dispensing head assemblies (2) in the positive-pressure section (71) and the negative-pressure section (73). The dispensing system allows for a controllable dispensing amount, automatic sealing after dispensing, and has a self-cleaning function.

Description

A new dispensing system Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cigarette production, and more particularly to a novel glue dispensing system. Background Art

[0002] Heated cigarettes, with their low-harm, low-risk features and a smoking experience similar to traditional cigarettes, are rapidly becoming the most promising new tobacco product and a hot area for future tobacco industry development. Among them, electrically heated cigarettes, with their advantages such as controllable heating temperature, flexible heating methods, and convenient and fashionable use, are currently a key development direction for heated cigarettes both domestically and internationally. Currently, leading international electrically heated cigarette brands include Philip Morris IQOS, Anglo-American GLO, Korea Tobacco's Lil, and Japan Tobacco's Ploom. Since their launch, sales have been booming, gradually becoming a major contributor to their profits.

[0003] According to the form of the smoke-releasing material, heated cigarettes can be divided into ordered thin-sheet heated cigarettes, disordered thin-sheet heated cigarettes, and granular heated cigarettes. Among them, granular heated cigarettes are a type of heated cigarette products that use granular tobacco materials as smoke-releasing materials. For example, patents CN 109527638A, CN 109527639A, CN 109512031A, etc. disclose the structure of granular heated cigarettes. For example, patents CN 108903065A, CN 109292115A, and CN201910809788.3 disclose granular heated cigarette forming equipment. In addition, patent CN201910808764.6 discloses a continuous glue coating device for the end surface of granular heated cigarette paper tubes. However, it is difficult for existing glue dispensing devices to achieve circular glue dispensing, and the glue dispensing amount is difficult to control.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention proposes a new dispensing system, which realizes annular glue discharge, makes the dispensing amount controllable, automatically closes after dispensing and has a self-cleaning function, which is conducive to ensuring the quality of dispensing.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A new dispensing system, its structural features are:

[0008] The device is provided at a dispensing station and includes a rotatable component consisting of a dispensing drum, an air distribution plate that rotates synchronously with the dispensing drum, and multiple groups of dispensing head assemblies, and also includes a sealing plate that is independent of the rotatable component; the circular motion trajectory formed by the rotation of each group of dispensing head assemblies as the dispensing drum rotates is divided into a positive pressure section, a dispensing section, a negative pressure section, and a cleaning section in sequence along the rotation direction of the dispensing drum, the dispensing section covering the end point of the positive pressure section and the starting point of the negative pressure section, and the cleaning section covering the end point of the negative pressure section and the starting point of the positive pressure section;

[0009] The dispensing drum wheel can rotate around the central axis, and a plurality of dispensing smoke grooves are formed on the outer circumference of the wheel, which are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction, and a group of dispensing head assemblies are respectively arranged in the same structural form at the position directly above each dispensing smoke groove; the cigarette tube to be dispensed can be adaptively placed upright in the dispensing smoke groove with the filter end facing upward, and can be separated from the dispensing smoke groove. When the dispensing drum wheel rotates and passes through the dispensing section, it is supported by the lifting support plate below and can move up along the dispensing smoke groove until the filter end face is in contact with the dispensing outlet of the dispensing head assembly directly above. When leaving the dispensing section, it is separated from the lifting support plate, moved down and reset, and separated from the dispensing outlet of the dispensing head assembly; the outer dimensions of the dispensing outlet are set according to the preset dispensing offset printing, and are located directly above the position to be dispensed on the filter end face of the cigarette tube;

[0010] The sealing disk and the air distribution disk are coaxially distributed above the dispensing drum, one above and one below. Each group of dispensing head assemblies is equipped with an air path. Corresponding to the air path of each group of dispensing head assemblies, the air distribution disk is respectively formed with branch airways communicating with the corresponding air paths. The multiple branch airways are independent of each other. The air paths are used to connect the corresponding branch airways with the glue flow channel in the dispensing head assembly. The glue flow channel is provided with a glue addition port, and the end forms the glue outlet exposed downward and facing the end face of the cigarette filter directly below.

[0011] The sealing disk is provided with a positive-pressure airway connected to an external positive-pressure air source corresponding to the positive-pressure section, and the positive-pressure airway can communicate with each airway in the positive-pressure section; the sealing disk is provided with a negative-pressure airway connected to an external negative-pressure air source corresponding to the negative-pressure section, and the negative-pressure airway can communicate with each airway in the negative-pressure section; the glue in the glue flow channel of each group of glue dispensing head assemblies in the positive-pressure section can overflow to the glue outlet under the action of the positive-pressure airflow, and the glue dispensing of the cigarette pipe is achieved through the contact between the glue outlet and the end face of the cigarette filter when in the glue dispensing section, and the glue of each group of glue dispensing head assemblies in the negative-pressure section can flow back from the glue outlet to the glue flow channel under the action of the negative-pressure airflow, and the glue outlet can contact with the surface of the sealing plate which is independent of the rotatable component and is a fixed component when in the cleaning section, and the glue outlet is sealed and cleaned by the sealing plate.

[0012] The structural characteristics of the present invention are also:

[0013] The structure of the dispensing head assembly is set as follows:

[0014] It includes a dispensing cylinder, a dispensing head, and a dispensing sleeve coaxial with the dispensing smoke slot, and also includes the air circuit; the dispensing sleeve is mounted on the outside of the lower end of the dispensing cylinder, and has a built-in dispensing head. A circular gap is left between the bottom end of the dispensing head and the dispensing sleeve in the radial direction, which serves as a pre-glue discharge area. The bottom end of the pre-glue discharge area is communicated with the outside to form a circular opening, which serves as the glue outlet. The top of the dispensing head is tightly connected to the bottom end of the dispensing cylinder, and the glue flow channel formed in the center of the inside and the inner cavity of the dispensing cylinder form a through glue channel. The glue in the glue channel can overflow to the pre-glue discharge area through multiple overflow holes circumferentially distributed at the lower end of the glue flow channel; the air circuit is a hose with a connector, and the hose is detachably connected to the top of the dispensing cylinder and the outlet of the corresponding airway through the connectors of the two pipe ends.

[0015] The dispensing cylinder is a syringe-shaped structure with an internal cavity, a gradually narrowing bottom to form a cylinder outlet, and a cylinder cover on the top. The air path is connected to the cylinder cover and communicates with the inside of the cylinder. The glue addition port is opened on the cylinder cover for injecting glue into the cylinder.

[0016] The sealing disk is vertically tensioned by a pair of elastic components installed on the stand, and the lower disk surface always maintains contact with the upper disk surface of the air distribution disk by relying on the elastic force of the elastic components. The positive-pressure airway and the negative-pressure airway are spaced apart in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the disk body, and are respectively an arc-shaped groove concave upward from the lower disk surface. The branches that rotate to the positive-pressure section are tightly connected and communicated with the positive-pressure airway, and the branches that rotate to the negative-pressure section are tightly connected and communicated with the negative-pressure airway; positive-pressure air holes and negative-pressure air holes are respectively opened on the sealing disk corresponding to the positive-pressure airway and the negative-pressure airway, one end of the positive-pressure air hole is connected to an external positive-pressure air source, and the other end is communicated with the positive-pressure airway, and one end of the negative-pressure air hole is connected to an external negative-pressure air source, and the other end is communicated with the negative-pressure airway.

[0017] The gas distribution plate is fixedly mounted on the dispensing drum wheel, and multiple branch air channels are arranged in a circumferential direction around the central axis of the plate body according to the position distribution of multiple groups of dispensing head assemblies. They are built into the plate body and are in the shape of an L-shaped channel. The vertical section extends upward to the upper plate surface exposed on the gas distribution plate, and the horizontal section extends radially outward to the outer circumference exposed on the gas distribution plate, and is connected to the air path.

[0018] The cigarette pipe in each dispensing cigarette trough passes through the positive pressure section, dispensing section, negative pressure section, and cleaning section in sequence as the dispensing drum rotates. When passing through the positive pressure section, negative pressure section, and cleaning section, the bottom is supported by the fixed support plate on the dispensing drum. A vertical distance is left between the end face of the filter tip and the glue outlet of the dispensing head assembly directly above. When passing through the dispensing section, the bottom is supported by the lifting support plate on the dispensing drum.

[0019] The lifting support plate is a three-section bending structure, which is arranged in the rotation direction of the dispensing drum wheel in order: a lower plate section, an inclined plate section, and a higher plate section. The lower plate section and the inclined plate section are at the junction of the positive pressure section and the dispensing section, and are used for the smooth connection between the lifting support plate and the fixed support plate. The lower plate section and the fixed support plate are at the same height and are connected. The lower end of the inclined plate section is connected to the lower plate section, and the higher end is connected to the higher plate section. The bottom of the cigarette pipe passing through the dispensing section is supported by the higher plate section of the lifting support plate, and the end face of the filter tip is kept in contact with the glue outlet of the dispensing head assembly directly above.

[0020] The sealing plate is provided with a sponge layer, which contacts the glue outlet of the glue dispensing head assembly through the sponge layer.

[0021] The glue dispensing station is connected between the filling station and the sealing station, and the glue dispensing drum is connected between the filling drum of the filling station and the sealing drum of the sealing station. After passing through the glue dispensing section, the cigarette tubes in each glue dispensing cigarette groove on the glue dispensing drum are transferred to the sealing drum in sequence.

[0022] The inner diameter of the glue outlet of the glue dispensing head assembly is set correspondingly to the diameter of the end surface of the cigarette tube filter.

[0023] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of the present invention are embodied in:

[0024] 1. The present invention realizes annular glue discharge;

[0025] A novel dispensing head assembly is proposed. A dispensing head assembly is arranged directly above the cigarette pipe in each dispensing cigarette slot, and the dispensing head assembly rotates synchronously with the dispensing drum. A pre-dispensing area is designed in the dispensing head assembly. The pre-dispensing area is a circular gap area with a circular opening at the bottom, which serves as a dispensing port. Positive and negative pressure are used to automatically add or suck back glue at the dispensing port. The contact between the end face of the cigarette pipe filter and the dispensing port during the dispensing phase is used to achieve annular dispensing of glue from the dispensing port to the cigarette pipe.

[0026] 2. The present invention achieves stable and controllable dispensing amount, which is beneficial to ensuring uniform product quality;

[0027] Based on the rotary motion of the glue dispensing drum, the present invention is equipped with a sealing disk with a positive-pressure airway and a negative-pressure airway, an air distribution disk with a lateral airway, and a glue dispensing head assembly whose inner cavity and the lateral airway are communicated through an air path. At the same time, a fixed support plate and a lifting support plate are also configured for the smoke pipe. Along the rotary path of a single glue dispensing smoke trough, it is divided into a positive-pressure section, a glue dispensing section, a negative-pressure section, and a cleaning section in sequence. In the positive-pressure section, the positive-pressure airway of the sealing disk, the lateral airway of the air distribution disk are communicated with the air path and the inner cavity of the glue dispensing head assembly, and the positive pressure is used to enable the glue in the glue dispensing head assembly to flow from the glue dispensing cylinder → glue flow channel → overflow hole → pre-glue dispensing area to the glue dispensing area. The overflow from the outlet is attached to the glue outlet, waiting for glue dispensing. After the positive pressure section, the positive pressure is released. In the glue dispensing section, the cigarette pipe is lifted by the lifting of the support plate, and the filter end face contacts the glue outlet to achieve glue dispensing. After glue dispensing, the cigarette pipe returns to the fixed support plate and is separated from the glue outlet. The glue at the glue outlet will not overflow under the negative pressure adsorption effect of the negative pressure section and the sealing plate of the cleaning section, effectively ensuring product quality. By utilizing the rotary motion of the glue dispensing drum, the sealing plate, the gas distribution plate and the glue dispensing head assembly cooperate with each group of glue dispensing head assemblies to make the glue dispensing amount to the lower cigarette pipe not only controllable but also stable.

[0028] 3. The present invention has a self-cleaning function, which is beneficial to ensuring the quality of dispensing;

[0029] After the dispensing is completed, when entering the negative pressure section, the negative pressure airway of the sealing plate, the branch airway of the air distribution plate and the air path and the inner cavity of the dispensing head assembly are connected, and the negative pressure is used to make the glue in the dispensing head assembly flow back from the glue outlet → pre-glue area → overflow hole → glue flow channel to the dispensing cylinder, so as to avoid the glue overflowing from the glue outlet after dispensing and affecting the product quality. Furthermore, when entering the cleaning section, the negative pressure effect is released, but at this time the glue outlet is blocked by the sealing plate, and the sealing plate scrapes off the glue at the glue outlet as the glue outlet moves, so that the glue outlet can be effectively and automatically cleaned before entering the positive pressure section next time, effectively avoiding the residual glue from affecting the stable control of the next dispensing amount. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention;

[0031] FIG2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention when the smoke pipe is in the dispensing section;

[0032] FIG3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention when the smoke pipe is in a non-dispensing section;

[0033] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a dispensing head assembly;

[0034] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the dispensing head assembly;

[0035] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the airways in the positive pressure section, the dispensing section, the negative pressure section, and the cleaning section and the positive pressure and negative pressure airways;

[0036] FIG7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sealing plate and the gas distribution plate;

[0037] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the sealing plate and the gas distribution plate;

[0038] FIG9 is a bottom perspective structural diagram of the sealing disk;

[0039] Figure 10 is a schematic top view of the sealing disk;

[0040] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of the gas distribution plate;

[0041] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the raised support plate;

[0042] Figure 13 is a side structural diagram of the raised pallet;

[0043] Figure 14 is a schematic structural diagram of the sealing plate;

[0044] Figure 15 is a side structural schematic diagram of the sealing plate;

[0045] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of the dispensing head mounting plate.

[0046] In the figure: 1 dispensing drum; 11 dispensing smoke trough; 12 lifting support plate; 121 lower plate section; 122 inclined plate section; 123 higher plate section; 13 fixed support plate; 2 dispensing head assembly; 21 dispensing cylinder; 22 dispensing head; 23 dispensing sleeve; 24 glue flow channel; 25 overflow hole; 26 pre-glue area; 27 glue outlet; 28 air path; 29 connector; 210 dispensing head mounting plate; 211 mounting hole; 3 gas distribution plate; 31 branch air channel; 4 sealing plate; 41 positive pressure air channel; 42 negative pressure air channel; 43 positive pressure air hole; 44 negative pressure air hole; 5 stand; 51 elastic component; 6 sealing plate; 61 sponge layer; 71 positive pressure section; 72 dispensing section; 73 negative pressure section; 74 cleaning section; 8 smoke pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] 1 to 3 , the novel dispensing system of this embodiment is arranged at a dispensing station, and includes a rotatable component consisting of a dispensing drum 1, an air distribution plate 3 that rotates synchronously with the dispensing drum 1, and multiple groups of dispensing head assemblies 2, and also includes a sealing plate 4 that is independent of the rotatable component; the circular motion trajectory formed by the rotation of each group of dispensing head assemblies 2 as the dispensing drum 1 rotates is divided into a positive pressure section 71, a dispensing section 72, a negative pressure section 73, and a cleaning section 74 in sequence along the rotation direction of the dispensing drum 1, the dispensing section 72 covers the end point of the positive pressure section 71 and the starting point of the negative pressure section 73, and the cleaning section 74 covers the end point of the negative pressure section 73 and the starting point of the positive pressure section 71;

[0049] The glue dispensing drum wheel 1 is rotatable around the central axis, and a plurality of glue dispensing smoke grooves 11 are formed on the outer circumference of the wheel, which are equidistantly spaced along the circumferential direction, and a group of glue dispensing head assemblies 2 are respectively arranged in the same structural form at the position directly above each glue dispensing smoke groove 11; the cigarette pipe 8 to be glued can be adaptively placed upright in the glue dispensing smoke groove 11 with the filter end facing upward, and can be separated from the glue dispensing smoke groove 11. As the glue dispensing drum wheel 1 rotates and passes through the glue dispensing section 72, it is supported by the lifting support plate 12 below and can move up along the glue dispensing smoke groove 11 until the end face of the filter is in contact with the glue outlet 27 of the glue dispensing head assembly 2 directly above it. When leaving the glue dispensing section 72, it is separated from the lifting support plate 12, moved down and reset, and separated from the glue outlet 27 of the glue dispensing head assembly 2; the outer dimensions of the glue outlet 27 are set according to the preset glue dispensing offset printing, and are located directly above the part to be glued on the filter end face of the cigarette pipe 8;

[0050] The sealing plate 4 and the gas distribution plate 3 are coaxially arranged above the dispensing drum 1, one above and one below. Each group of dispensing head assemblies 2 is equipped with an air path 28. Corresponding to the air path 28 of each group of dispensing head assemblies 2, the gas distribution plate 3 is respectively formed with a branch airway 31 communicating with the corresponding air path 28. The multiple branch airways 31 are independent of each other. The air path 28 is used to connect the corresponding branch airway 31 with the glue flow channel in the dispensing head assembly 2. The glue flow channel is provided with a glue addition port, and the end forms a glue outlet 27 exposed downward and facing the filter end face of the cigarette pipe 8 directly below.

[0051] The sealing disk 4 is provided with a positive pressure airway 41 connected to an external positive pressure air source corresponding to the positive pressure section 71, and the positive pressure airway 41 can communicate with each branch airway 31 in the positive pressure section 71, and a negative pressure airway 42 connected to an external negative pressure air source is formed corresponding to the negative pressure section 73, and the negative pressure airway 42 can communicate with each branch airway 31 in the negative pressure section 73; the glue in the glue flow channel of each group of glue dispensing head assemblies 2 in the positive pressure section 71 can overflow to the glue outlet under the action of the positive pressure airflow. When the glue outlet 27 is in the glue dispensing section 72, the glue dispensing of the cigarette tube 8 is achieved by contacting the glue outlet 27 with the filter end face of the cigarette tube 8. The glue liquid of each group of glue dispensing head assemblies 2 in the negative pressure section 73 can flow back from the glue outlet 27 to the glue flow channel under the action of the negative pressure airflow. When the glue outlet 27 is in the cleaning section 74, the glue outlet 27 can contact the surface of the sealing plate 6 which is independent of the rotatable component and is a fixed component, and the sealing and cleaning of the glue outlet 27 are achieved through the sealing plate 6.

[0052] The corresponding structural settings of the new dispensing system also include:

[0053] As shown in FIG16 , a dispensing head mounting plate 210 is coaxially fixed on the dispensing drum 1, and each dispensing head assembly 2 is mounted in each reserved mounting hole 211 on the dispensing head mounting plate 210. As shown in FIG4 to FIG5 , the dispensing head assembly 2 includes a dispensing cylinder 21, a dispensing head 22, and a dispensing sleeve 23 coaxial with the dispensing smoke slot 11, and also includes an air path 28; the dispensing sleeve 23 is mounted on the lower end of the dispensing cylinder 21, and has a built-in dispensing head 22. A circular gap is left between the bottom end of the dispensing head 22 and the dispensing sleeve 23 in the radial direction, which serves as a pre-glueing area 26. The bottom end of the pre-glueing area 26 is connected to the outside to form a circular opening, which serves as a glue outlet 27. The top of the glue head 22 is tightly connected to the bottom end of the glue dispensing cylinder 21, and the glue flow channel 24 formed in the center inside and the inner cavity of the glue dispensing cylinder 21 constitute a through glue channel. The glue in the glue channel can overflow to the pre-glue discharge area 26 through multiple overflow holes 25 circumferentially distributed at the lower end of the glue flow channel 24; the air path 28 is a hose with a connector 29, and the hose is detachably connected to the top of the glue dispensing cylinder 21 and the outlet of the corresponding branch airway 31 through the connectors 29 at the two pipe ends.

[0054] The dispensing cylinder 21 is a syringe-shaped structure with an internal cavity. The bottom gradually narrows to form a cylinder outlet and a cylinder cover on the top. The air path 28 is connected to the cylinder cover and communicates with the inside of the cylinder. The glue addition port is opened on the cylinder cover for injecting glue into the cylinder.

[0055] The number of the dispensing head assemblies 2 is the same as the number of the dispensing smoke slots 11 , which is 32 sets in this embodiment.

[0056] As shown in Figures 6 to 11, the sealing disk 4 is vertically tensioned by a pair of elastic components 51 installed on the stand 5. The lower disk surface always maintains contact with the upper disk surface of the gas distribution disk 3 by relying on the elastic force of the elastic component 51. The positive pressure airway 41 and the negative pressure airway 42 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction around the central axis of the disk body, and are respectively an arc-shaped groove concave upward from the lower disk surface. The branch airways 31 that rotate to the positive pressure section 71 are tightly connected and communicated with the positive pressure airway 41, and the branch airways 31 that rotate to the negative pressure section 73 are tightly connected and communicated with the negative pressure airway 42; positive pressure air holes 43 and negative pressure air holes 44 are respectively opened on the sealing disk 4 corresponding to the positive pressure airway 41 and the negative pressure airway 42. One end of the positive pressure air hole 43 is connected to an external positive pressure air source, and the other end is communicated with the positive pressure airway 41. One end of the negative pressure air hole 44 is connected to an external negative pressure air source, and the other end is communicated with the negative pressure airway 42.

[0057] The positive pressure air channel 41 and the negative pressure air channel 42 are symmetrically distributed on the sealing disk 4, each occupying 120 degrees along the circumferential direction. The amount of glue dispensed is related to the air pressure and the speed of the glue dispensing drum 1. The pressure of the positive pressure and the negative pressure can be adjusted as needed.

[0058] The elastic component 51 is a spring vertically tensioned between the stand 5 and the sealing disc 4 .

[0059] The gas distribution plate 3 is fixedly mounted on the dispensing drum wheel 1. Multiple branch air channels 31 are arranged around the central axis of the plate body along the circumferential direction according to the position distribution of multiple groups of dispensing head assemblies 2. They are built into the plate body and are in the shape of an L-shaped channel. The vertical section extends upward to the upper plate surface exposed on the gas distribution plate 3, and the horizontal section extends radially outward to the outer circumference exposed on the gas distribution plate 3, and is connected to the air path 28.

[0060] The cigarette pipe 8 in each dispensing cigarette trough 11 passes through the positive pressure section 71, the dispensing section 72, the negative pressure section 73, and the cleaning section 74 in sequence as the dispensing drum wheel 1 rotates. When passing through the positive pressure section 71, the negative pressure section 73, and the cleaning section 74, the bottom is supported by the fixed support plate 13 on the dispensing drum wheel 1, and a vertical distance is left between the end surface of the filter tip and the glue outlet 27 of the dispensing head assembly 2 directly above. When passing through the dispensing section 72, the bottom is supported by the lifting support plate 12 on the dispensing drum wheel 1;

[0061] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the lifting support plate 12 has a three-section bent structure. Along the rotation direction of the dispensing drum wheel 1, it comprises a lower plate section 121, an inclined plate section 122, and a higher plate section 123. The lower plate section 121 and the inclined plate section 122 are located at the junction of the positive pressure section 71 and the dispensing section 72, and are used to smoothly connect the lifting support plate 12 with the fixed support plate 13. The lower plate section 121 and the fixed support plate 13 are at the same height and connected. The inclined plate section 122 has an inclination angle of 3°, with the lower end connecting to the lower plate section 121 and the higher end connecting to the higher plate section 123. The bottom of the cigarette pipe 8 passing through the dispensing section 72 is supported by the higher plate section 123 of the lifting support plate 12, and the end face of the filter tip maintains contact with the glue outlet 27 of the dispensing head assembly 2 directly above. The range occupied by the lifting support plate 12 along the circumferential direction is less than 180°.

[0062] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the sealing plate 6 is provided with a plate segment made of a sponge layer 61, which contacts the glue outlet 27 of the dispensing head assembly 2 through the sponge layer 61 and is fixed to the above-mentioned stand 5. The sealing plate 6 contacts the glue outlet 27 with the sponge layer 61, and through relative displacement between the sponge layer 6 and the glue outlet 27, it scrapes away excess glue at the glue outlet 27. At the same time, it also blocks the glue outlet 27, preventing glue from overflowing. The glue outlet 27 is clean the next time it enters the positive pressure section 71, ensuring a stable glue dispensing amount during each dispensing.

[0063] The glue dispensing station is located between the filling and sealing stations, and the glue dispensing drum 1 is connected between the filling drum of the filling station and the sealing drum of the sealing station. After passing through the glue dispensing section 72, the smoke tubes 8 in the glue dispensing troughs 11 on the glue dispensing drum 1 are sequentially transferred to the sealing drum. Therefore, when passing through the negative pressure section 73 and the cleaning section 74, the smoke tubes 8 in the glue dispensing troughs 11 on the glue dispensing drum 1 are empty.

[0064] The following is the prior art, which is a further explanation of the transfer of smoke pipes 8 between workstations: The two adjacent drum wheels are meshed with each other through the gear disc at the bottom of the drum wheels, and rotate independently of each other. The outer wheel circumferences are tangent to each other, and the glue-dispensing smoke grooves 11 on the two drum wheels at the tangent point are radially opposite. The upstream glue-dispensing smoke groove 11 is adsorbed with a smoke pipe 8 by negative pressure, and there is no smoke pipe 8 in the downstream glue-dispensing smoke groove 11. The two glue-dispensing smoke grooves 11 are adapted to jointly enclose the smoke pipe 8. At this time, the negative pressure corresponding to the upstream glue-dispensing smoke groove 11 is disconnected, stopping the adsorption of the smoke pipe 8, and the negative pressure corresponding to the downstream glue-dispensing smoke groove 11 is connected, forming adsorption of the smoke pipe 8. As the two drum wheels continue to operate, the transfer of the smoke pipe 8 from the upstream drum wheel to the downstream drum wheel is completed. Adsorption air holes are opened on the groove wall of the glue-dispensing smoke groove 11 of each drum wheel, and the adsorption air holes are connected to the negative pressure gas source to achieve adsorption and fixation of the smoke pipe 8 in the glue-dispensing smoke groove 11 by relying on negative pressure.

[0065] The inner diameter of the glue outlet 27 of the glue dispensing head assembly 2 is set according to the diameter of the filter end surface of the cigarette tube 8, and is designed to be 7.2 mm in this embodiment.

[0066] The following is a detailed description of the working process of this embodiment:

[0067] As the dispensing drum 1 rotates, the dispensing cigarette trough 11, carrying the cigarette pipe 8 within it, sequentially passes through the positive pressure section 71, the dispensing section 72, the negative pressure section 73, and the cleaning section 74, as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 uses double-dashed lines to segment the circumferential extent of these four sections, while dashed lines also illustrate the positional relationships between the various branch airways 31, the positive pressure airway 41, and the negative pressure airway 42. While in the positive pressure section 71, the negative pressure section 73, and the cleaning section 74, the cigarette pipe 8 is supported by the fixed support plate 13, leaving a vertical gap between the filter tip end and the glue outlet 27 of the dispensing head assembly 2 directly above.

[0068] When the dispensing smoke groove 11 of the dispensing drum 1, the corresponding dispensing head assembly 2, and the branch air channel 31 of the gas distribution plate 3 rotate with the dispensing drum 1 to the range of the positive pressure section 71, the branch air channel 31 is connected with the positive pressure air channel 41 on the sealing plate 4. Under the action of the positive pressure airflow, the glue in the dispensing cylinder 21 flows into the glue flow channel 24 in the dispensing head 22. As the positive pressure airflow continues to act, it overflows into the pre-glue dispensing area 26 through the overflow holes 25, so that the pre-glue dispensing area 26 is filled with glue and attached to the glue outlet 27, preparing for dispensing.

[0069] When the glue dispensing trough 11 of the glue dispensing drum 1, the corresponding glue dispensing head assembly 2, and the branch airway 31 of the gas distribution plate 3 rotate with the glue dispensing drum 1 to the range where the glue dispensing section 72 is located, the branch airway 31 gradually leaves the positive pressure airway 41, loses the effect of the positive pressure airflow, and the amount of glue at the glue outlet 27 is stable, while the bottom of the cigarette tube 8 contacts the lifting support plate 12, and the lifting support plate 12 is lifted up along the glue dispensing trough 11, and the end face of the filter tip contacts the glue outlet 27 just above it, and the glue at the glue outlet 27 is printed on the end face of the filter tip, completing the quantitative glue dispensing on the filter tip end face of the cigarette tube 8. After glue dispensing, it is transported to the drum wheel of the downstream station;

[0070] When the dispensing smoke groove 11 of the dispensing drum 1, the corresponding dispensing head assembly 2, and the branch airway 31 of the gas distribution plate 3 rotate with the dispensing drum 1 to the range where the negative pressure section 73 is located, the branch airway 31 is connected to the negative pressure airway 42 on the sealing plate 4. Under the action of the negative pressure airflow, the glue liquid flows back into the dispensing cylinder 21 along the return path of the glue outlet 27-pre-glue dispensing area 26-overflow hole 25-glue flow channel-dispensing cylinder 21, thereby preventing the glue liquid from flowing downward and affecting product quality.

[0071] When the dispensing smoke groove 11 of the dispensing drum 1, the corresponding dispensing head assembly 2, and the branch airway 31 of the gas distribution plate 3 rotate with the dispensing drum 1 to the range where the cleaning section 74 is located, the branch airway 31 gradually leaves the negative pressure airway 42 and loses the effect of the negative pressure airflow. At this time, there is a distance between the smoke pipe 8 and the glue outlet 27, and the glue outlet 27 contacts the sealing plate 6. The movement of the glue outlet 27 is used to form the sealing plate 6 to scrape off the excess glue at the glue outlet 27, thereby cleaning the glue outlet 27 and temporarily blocking the glue outlet 27, further ensuring the outflow of the glue liquid.

[0072] This process is repeated to complete the automatic quantitative dispensing of glue on the smoke tube 8 on the glue dispensing drum 1.

[0073] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A novel dispensing system, characterized in that: It is arranged at the dispensing station and includes a rotatable member composed of a dispensing drum (1), an air distribution plate (3) that rotates synchronously with the dispensing drum (1), and multiple groups of dispensing head assemblies (2), and also includes a sealing plate (4) independent of the rotatable member; the circular movement trajectories formed by each group of dispensing head assemblies (2) following the rotation of the dispensing drum (1) are sequentially divided into a positive pressure section (71), a dispensing section (72), a negative pressure section (73), and a cleaning section (74) along the rotation direction of the dispensing drum (1). The dispensing section (72) covers the end point of the positive pressure section (71) and the starting point of the negative pressure section (73), and the cleaning section (74) covers the end point of the negative pressure section (73) and the starting point of the positive pressure section (71); The dispensing drum (1) is rotatable around the central axis, and multiple dispensing grooves (11) are formed on the outer circumference at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. A group of dispensing head assemblies (2) are respectively arranged at the positions directly above each dispensing groove (11) in the same structural form; the tobacco pipe (8) to be dispensed can be erected in the dispensing groove (11) in a matching manner with the filter tip facing upward and can be separated from the dispensing groove (11). When passing through the dispensing section (72) following the rotation of the dispensing drum (1), it is supported by the lifting support plate (12) below and can move upward along the dispensing groove (11) until the filter tip end face is in contact with the glue outlet (27) of the dispensing head assembly (2) directly above. When leaving the dispensing section (72), it is separated from the lifting support plate (12), moves downward and resets, and separates from the glue outlet (27) of the dispensing head assembly (2); the external dimension of the glue outlet (27) is correspondingly set according to the preset dispensing glue mark and is directly above the part of the filter tip end face of the tobacco pipe (8) to be dispensed. The sealing plate (4) and the air distribution plate (3) are distributed coaxially above the dispensing drum (1) with one above the other. Each group of dispensing head assemblies (2) is provided with an air path (28). Corresponding to the air path (28) of each group of dispensing head assemblies (2), branch air passages (31) communicating with the corresponding air paths (28) are respectively formed on the air distribution plate (3). The multiple branch air passages (31) are independent of each other. The air path (28) is used for connecting the corresponding branch air passage (31) and the glue flow channel in the dispensing head assembly (2). The glue flow channel is provided with a glue adding port, and the end forms the glue outlet (27) that faces downward and is exposed directly opposite the filter tip end face of the tobacco pipe (8) directly below. A positive pressure air duct (41) connected to an external positive pressure air source is formed on the sealing disc (4) corresponding to the positive pressure section (71). The positive pressure air duct (41) can communicate with each branch air duct (31) in the positive pressure section (71). A negative pressure air duct (42) connected to an external negative pressure air source is formed corresponding to the negative pressure section (73). The negative pressure air duct (42) can communicate with each branch air duct (31) in the negative pressure section (73). The glue in the glue flow channels of each group of dispensing head assemblies (2) in the positive pressure section (71) can overflow to the glue outlet (27) under the action of the positive pressure air flow. When in the dispensing section (72), the glue is dispensed to the filter tip end face of the cigarette tube (8) through the contact between the glue outlet (27) and the cigarette tube (8). The glue of each group of dispensing head assemblies (2) in the negative pressure section (73) can flow back from the glue outlet (27) into the glue flow channels under the action of the negative pressure air flow. When in the cleaning section (74), the glue outlet (27) can contact the plate surface of the sealing plate (6) which is an immovable member independent of the rotatable member, and the sealing plate (6) is used to cover and clean the glue outlet (27).

2. The novel dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The structure of the dispensing head assembly (2) is arranged as follows: It includes a dispensing cylinder (21) coaxial with the dispensing cigarette groove (11), a dispensing head (22), a dispensing sleeve (23), and also includes the air path (28). The dispensing sleeve (23) is sleeved outside the lower end of the dispensing cylinder (21) and internally houses the dispensing head (22). A circular gap is left between the bottom end of the dispensing head (22) and the dispensing sleeve (23) in the radial direction as a pre-glue dispensing area (26). The bottom end of the pre-glue dispensing area (26) communicates with the outside to form a circular opening as the glue outlet (27). The top end of the dispensing head (22) is closely connected to the bottom end of the dispensing cylinder (21). The glue flow hole (24) formed in the middle inside and the inner cavity of the dispensing cylinder (21) form the through glue liquid channel. The glue in the glue liquid channel can overflow to the pre-glue dispensing area (26) through a plurality of overflow holes (25) evenly distributed in the circumferential direction at the lower end of the glue flow hole (24). The air path (28) is a hose with connectors (29). The hose is detachably connected to the top of the dispensing cylinder (21) and the outlet of the corresponding branch air duct (31) through the connectors (29) at both ends of the hose.

3. The novel dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The dispensing cylinder (21) has a syringe-like structure with an internal cavity, a gradually narrowing bottom to form a cylinder outlet, and a cylinder cover at the top. The air path (28) is connected to the cylinder cover and communicates with the inside of the cylinder. The glue adding port is opened on the cylinder cover for injecting glue into the cylinder.

4. The novel dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing disc (4) is vertically tensioned by a pair of elastic components (51) mounted on the vertical frame (5). The lower disc surface always remains in contact with the upper disc surface of the air distribution disc (3) by the elastic force of the elastic components (51). The positive pressure air ducts (41) and the negative pressure air ducts (42) are distributed at intervals along the circumferential direction around the axis of the disc body, and are respectively an arc-shaped groove concave upward from the lower disc surface. Each branch air duct (31) turning to the positive pressure section (71) is closely connected and communicated with the positive pressure air duct (41), and each branch air duct (31) turning to the negative pressure section (73) is closely connected and communicated with the negative pressure air duct (42); corresponding to the positive pressure air duct (41) and the negative pressure air duct (42) on the sealing disc (4), a positive pressure air hole (43) and a negative pressure air hole (44) are respectively provided. One end of the positive pressure air hole (43) is externally connected to a positive pressure air source, and the other end is communicated with the positive pressure air duct (41). One end of the negative pressure air hole (44) is connected to an external negative pressure air source, and the other end is communicated with the negative pressure air duct (42).

5. The novel dispensing system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The air distribution disc (3) is fixedly installed on the dispensing drum (1). A plurality of branch air ducts (31) are respectively arranged corresponding to the positions of multiple groups of dispensing head assemblies (2) along the circumferential direction around the axis of the disc body, are built in the disc body, are in an L-shaped channel shape, the vertical section extends upward to be exposed on the upper disc surface of the air distribution disc (3), and the horizontal section extends radially outward to be exposed on the outer circumference of the air distribution disc (3) and is connected to the air path (28).

6. The novel dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cigarette pipes (8) in each dispensing cigarette groove (11) sequentially pass through the positive pressure section (71), the dispensing section (72), the negative pressure section (73), and the cleaning section (74) as the dispensing drum (1) rotates. When passing through the positive pressure section (71), the negative pressure section (73), and the cleaning section (74), the bottom is supported by the fixed support plate (13) on the dispensing drum (1), and there is a spacing in the vertical direction between the filter tip end face and the glue outlet (27) of the dispensing head assembly (2) directly above. When passing through the dispensing section (72), the bottom is supported by the lifting support plate (12) on the dispensing drum (1); The lifting support plate (12) is a three-section bent structure, which is sequentially a lower plate section (121), an inclined plate section (122), and a higher plate section (123) along the rotation direction of the dispensing drum (1). The lower plate section (121) and the inclined plate section (122) are at the connection between the positive pressure section (71) and the dispensing section (72) for the smooth connection between the lifting support plate (12) and the fixed support plate (13). The lower plate section (121) is at the same height as and connected to the fixed support plate (13). The lower end of the inclined plate section (122) is connected to the lower plate section (121), and the higher end is connected to the higher plate section (123). The bottom of the cigarette pipe (8) passing through the dispensing section (72) is supported by the higher plate section (123) of the lifting support plate (12), and the filter tip end face is in contact with the glue outlet (27) of the dispensing head assembly (2) directly above.

7. The novel dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing plate (6) is provided with a sponge layer (61) and contacts the glue outlet (27) of the dispensing head assembly (2) through the sponge layer (61).

8. The novel dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The glue dispensing station is connected between the filling station and the sealing station, and the glue dispensing drum wheel (1) is connected between the filling drum wheel of the filling station and the sealing drum wheel of the sealing station. After passing through the glue dispensing section (72), the cigarette tubes (8) in each glue dispensing cigarette groove (11) on the glue dispensing drum wheel (1) are sequentially transferred to the sealing drum wheel.

9. The novel dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein: The inner diameter of the glue outlet (27) of the glue dispensing head assembly (2) is set corresponding to the diameter of the filter end surface of the cigarette tube (8).

Images